TOP 5 best computer cases in 2017

Fractal Design Node 202 is actually an alternative thin computer case, in which, in addition to the Mini–ITX motherboard, a graphics card is also placed, and not a low-profile, but a full-size three-fan. Something similar is only in the range of SilverStone, but its products are rare in east european retail.

Node 202 is sold both by itself and complete with a power supply of a reduced Integra SFX 450W format — Fractal Design Node 202 PSU 450 W . The case has no slots for 3.5-inch hard drives at all, but there are a couple of 2.5-inch ones, which allows you to install a laptop HDD in addition to SSD.

Two 12-cm blow-in fans can be installed next to the graphics card (at least one will not be superfluous), but there are no ready-made seats for blown propellers. At the end of the case, only a very tiny 6-cm impeller will fit, and it will have to be fixed with artisanal ties. The height of the processor cooler should not exceed 5.6 cm, that is, in addition to the Intel box cooler from popular models, only Noctua NH-L9i Price from 2 457 up to 3 502 ₴.

The dimensions of the Fractal Design Node 202 are approximately comparable to the original version of the Xbox One game console. And it is for the assembly of a "pre-visor" PC to replace the game console, the so-called Steam Machine, that this case is primarily intended.

Thermaltake Suppressor F1 is a representative of the class of so-called cubic Mini-ITX cases. Unlike its thin counterparts, it has enough space to install a full-fledged ATX power supply and even a small tower cooler (up to 14 cm high, for example Zalman CNPS5X Performa ).

The disk subsystem inside the Suppressor F1 can be built from two 3.5-inch HDDs and the same number of 2.5-inch SSDs. Cooling by default is implemented by means of only one, but a huge 20-cm front fan. There are two seats at the back for 8-cm propellers (purchased separately), but it would be better to have one for a quieter 12-cm.

The ability to install a tower processor cooler makes the Thermaltake Suppressor F1 suitable even for fans of overclocking. Fortunately, Mini-ITX motherboards on the Z270 overclocker chipset are on the market (for example, MSI Z270I GAMING PRO CARBON AC ). Computer enthusiasts will be doubly pleased with the upper transparent window, which allows them to admire the beauty of the internal components of the PC.

Computer cases are very rarely equipped with high-quality power supplies, but pleasant exceptions still occur from time to time, for example, Aerocool PGS QS-182 with an Aerocool VX-550 power supply. The case is made in the medium-sized MiniTower format (for microATX motherboards), and it is reduced not only in height, but also in length and width.

And if the reduction in length occurred without loss of functionality (three 3.5 or 2.5 inch disks fit), then weight loss limited the height of the processor cooler to 14.5 cm. There is only one complete fan – the rear size is 8 cm, and noisy (lovers of silence will have to replace it).

In addition, additional 12-cm propellers can be installed on the front, side and bottom panels (at least one for injection must be purchased). The most effective is the lateral placement, in which the air flow will be directed to the graphics card, due to which it is possible to reduce its temperature by 5-10 degrees.

Due to the moderate cost, Aerocool PGS QS-182 can be called a solid universal case for assembling a home multimedia or gaming PC. The complete Aerocool VX-550 PSU is reliable, energy–efficient (80% high efficiency) and has a 6-pin connector for a GeForce GTX 1060 and Radeon RX 480 graphics card. You can scold the case except for very thin sheet metal.

Deepcool Tesseract BF is a representative of the old school of full–size FullTower computer cases (for ATX motherboards, see the article "4+1 best motherboards for Intel Kaby Lake processors"). It has holes for an external remote water cooling system (almost no one uses them now) and a whole bunch of slots for 5.25-, 3.5- and 2.5-inch disk drives (taking into account the large volume of modern disks, many slots are not needed). It would be better to leave more space for the graphics card (only models shorter than 31 cm are allowed).

The location of the power supply unit is lower, so that it does not suck hot air from other PC components and makes less noise. Places for low-speed 12-cm fans are provided on all panels (except the rear side, where it is not needed). The kit includes only one fan with the blue colour of the blades branded for Deepcool. Any processor cooler will fit (the permissible height of 16.9 cm is even more than necessary).

The disadvantages of Tesseract BF, perhaps, are only two: the absence of a dust filter on the top panel (the dust will simply fall inside the PC) and a slide for HDD without rubber vibration pads. But all this is not critical and, despite the archaisms, Tesseract BF is a worthy candidate for assembling a powerful gaming or professional PC (a lot of HDD may be required for video editing). For lovers of complete silence, it is better to look for a more expensive model.

Zalman Z9 Neo already presents a new school of FullTower computer cases, taking into account the latest hardcore trends like long video cards (more than 31 cm), two-section factory SVOS and cable management. For all this, the Z9 Neo, compared to the previous model Zalman Z9 Plus without PSU , fully ready.

The lower part of the interior space of the Z9 Neo is fenced off by a casing. His task is to hide out of sight a snake tangle of wires stretching from the power supply to other components of the PC. 3.5-inch hard drives are also hiding under it. More compact SSDs are huddled on the back side of the motherboard mounting frame. The space vacated in the front of the case is occupied by default by two 12-cm fans, which, if desired, can be replaced with a two-section processor SVO.

In terms of the number of complete propellers, the Z9 Neo is generally the record holder among cases costing up to $ 100 – there are as many as five of them (one more at the back and two on top, all sizes 12 cm, including two with backlight). It's a pity that the rheobase for controlling the speed of the impellers, which the old Z9 Plus had, did not migrate to the new Z9 Neo. But there are rubber feet, rubber slides for HDD and again rubber dust-proof plugs for four USB ports on the top panel. The height of the processor cooler is up to 16 cm, which is not small, but for some supercoopers it may still not be enough.

Thanks to the complete and, perhaps, even excessive staffing of fans, the Zalman Z9 Neo case is able to take on board even the hottest computer components, such as Intel LGA2011-v3 processors and bundles of NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX video cards. You can admire all this with ecstasy through the transparent side window. Therefore, we recommend this case primarily to avid gamers and computer enthusiasts.